Initial Proposals should include a concise overview of the nonprofit’s mission, impact, programs and services; the program/project/initiative for which funding is being sought and how it meets a well-defined need; a description of how individuals, families, and/or communities served by the nonprofit will benefit from the support; and how the request is uniquely aligned with the Yawkey Foundation’s mission and philanthropic priorities. Initial Proposal narratives may not exceed 800 words.
Please note that grants, particularly Transformational Capital and Strategic Investment grants, are extremely competitive, and the most compelling Initial Proposals will reflect a nonprofit’s strong leadership and proven impact in providing direct services and programs for unmet needs in underserved regions aligned with the Yawkey Foundation’s geographic priority areas, including Gateway Cities in Eastern Massachusetts. Initial Proposals for Transformational Capital and Strategic Investment Grants should demonstrate that a nonprofit’s Board has made a commitment to and has approved the capital project or strategic initiative. As stated, submissions should include information on budgets, expenses, anticipated outcomes, and sustainability once grant funding has been expended.
An Initial Proposal to the Yawkey Foundation is a nonprofit’s conceptual overview of a program, project or initiative that an organization believes addresses a need that strategically aligns with the Foundation’s mission, Areas of Giving, and the perpetuation of Tom and Jean Yawkey’s philanthropic legacy. The multistep Initial Proposal process enables the Yawkey Foundation staff to learn about key project/program details (timeline, budget, etc.) surrounding the many impactful and innovative ideas that nonprofits are developing to make a positive difference to individuals, families and communities in the Foundation’s geographic focus areas. Please note that all Initial Proposals must be accompanied by a detailed project or program budget specific to the proposal. Nonprofits may submit only one Initial Proposal to the Yawkey Foundation in the course of a calendar year, irrespective of the Type of Grant. It is suggested, though not required, that organizations which have not been previously funded by the Foundation submit Initial Proposals for Program & Small Capital Grants as a way to familiarize the Foundation with its work. Nonprofits new to the Yawkey Foundation, as well as grantees funded by the Foundation in the past, are welcome to submit an Initial Proposal for consideration by the Yawkey Foundation, subject to the eligibility criteria.
Should the Foundation wish to learn more about the Initial Proposal after the preliminary evaluation, an organization may be invited to submit a full Grant Application. At this juncture, Foundation staff will provide the nonprofit with specific instructions and guidance regarding the Grant Application process, required questions, suggested content, and approximate deadline and evaluation timelines.